| Content | The MX30 Pro Gated/Comp/Limiter is a low cost professional quality dynamics processor. Drawing on our many years experience in professional audio we have developed a series of lower-cost Drawmer dynamic signal processors, the MX Pro range. Aimed at the musician, project studio and live performer, who is determined not to compromise on quality, but have to work to a tighter budget.
By using circuit elements drawn from existing top-of-the-line Drawmer products and by simplifying the control systems where possible, the MX Pro range is no less sophisticated than our other units, despite the price tag. As a result the inexperienced user gains the benefits of Drawmer quality and performance, combined with lower cost and simplicity of operation.
Operational control is split into three sections:- Gate, Compressor, Output:
Programme Adaptive’ Gate
Used to remove unwanted noise below a pre-set level, each channel consists of a variable Threshold Gate incorporating Drawmer’s ‘Programme Adaptive’ circuitry. Although quick and simple to operate, the gate’s auto-circuitry continually optimises such parameters as Attack, Hold, Ratio and Release, completely eliminating ‘chatter’ when the signal is fluctuating on or around Threshold. Two LEDs show when the signal is ‘above’ or ‘below’ Threshold and a push button switch allows additional control of Release time. This design approach also retains all ‘leading edge’ information making the gate ideal for ‘cleaning up’ vocals or retaining the ‘punch’ on gated drums. Switching is provided for \'Fast\' or \'Slow\' release characteristics. The \'Fast\' mode can be used for instruments with rapid decay times or for additional tightening of the gating effect. The \'Slow\' mode is more suitable for vocals and instruments with longer decay times or can be used to smooth over rough fade outs. A single LED indicates gating action.
Soft Knee ‘Auto Compressor’
The gate is followed by a variable Threshold, variable Ratio, soft knee compressor with fully automatic Attack and Release. Large transients are controlled instantly whilst small signal variations are treated gently, retaining as much ‘life’ as possible and without generating unpredictable side effects. the MX30 Pro handles all compression levels with ease and displays the amount of compression on a high resolution Gain Reduction bargraph meter.
Output
The Gain control is used to compensate for the amount of compression and brings the signal to the required output level as displayed by the output bargraph meter. A variable Threshold ‘zero overshoot’ limiter, essential for avoiding distortion when mastering to digital or speaker protection in a ‘live’ situation, adds the final polish to the signal by keeping control over signal peaks. The Limit threshold provides an absolute maximum peak level which no signal can pass. Fast transients are clipped instantly whilst more sustained peaks are dealt with by applying Gain Reduction, indicated by a single LED.
Gate Threshold:
This control sets the level below which gating takes place and may be set anywhere in the range of -70dB to +20dB. A green LED illuminates to show when the signal is above threshold (i.e. gate open) and a red LED illuminates when the signal is below Threshold (i.e. gate closed).
Release: Either a Fast or Slow auto release contour may be selected depending on the material being processed. An LED indicates when Slow release status is engaged. Percussive material with little or no reverb is generally treated using the Fast release setting, whereas with slow decays or a significant amount of added reverb will usually respond better to the Slow release setting.
Compressor Threshold: This determines the input level above which gain reduction will be applied and may be set anywhere in the range of -40dB to +20dB. Soft Knee compression takes place for signals exceeding the threshold level by up to 10dB above which level, conventional ‘ratio’ compression is applied.
Gain Reduction Bargraph Meter: A nine segment LED bargraph meter continuously monitors the gain reduction applied by the compressor over a range of 0dB to 30dB.
Ratio: Sets the final compression ratio that will be applied once the 10dB soft knee region is exceeded. The ratio may be continuously adjusted from 1.2:1 to infinity:1 allowing the possibility of true hard limiting. The higher the ratio setting the more compression takes place (eg. A ratio of 8:1 means that an 8dB increase in volume at the input will appear as a 1dB increase in volume at the output).
Stereo Link: The unit can function as two independent gated/compressor/limiters or when ‘link’ mode is engaged for stereo use Channel 1 becomes the master, automatically duplicating its parameters across to Channel 2. In this mode the same degree of gain reduction is applied to both audio channels to prevent image shifting.
Output Gain: The output level may be attenuated or amplified by up to 20dB to compensate for level changes caused by compression. This control comes directly before the Peak Limiter detector and this fact should be taken into account when setting the Peak Limiter threshold.
Peak Limit: This control sets an absolute limit that the output signal will not be permitted to exceed. The limiter is ‘zero response time’ and controls peaks without any audible distortion. For transparent ‘peak protection’ the output gain control should be set to ensure that the Peak Limiter operates only occasionally. Alternatively, the unit can be driven into heavy limiting for creative effects.
Input/Output Bargraph Meter: An eight segment LED bargraph level meter monitors the output signal level over a range of -20dB to +15dB. When Bypass is selected this meter reads input level. |
Innovation
The ARX AFTERBURNER? is a unique Multi Mode compressor/limiter
designed for use in any professional audio dynamics control application.
Multiple Modes
The Afterburner can be set up and used in three different ways:
In Two channel mode, it performs as two independent compressor/limiters,
with 'industry standard' variable Threshold, Ratio and Output gain. In stereo
mode, our New Adaptive Stereo Link circuitry provides increased stereo
imaging accuracy when linking both channels as a stereo pair. A single front
panel switch puts the Afterburner into its alternative Mono mode, setting it up
as a Single channel, Dual Band compressor/limiter, with separate dynamics
control of both Low and High frequencies, opening up a whole new range of
gain control techniques.
Enhance Switch
In any mode, the Afterburner features an 'Enhance' switch, which provides
frequency restoration to preserve the spectral balance of the audio signal,
compensating for the sagging Low and High frequency response of compressed
program material. Think of it as a 'smart' loudness control.
Features
Switchable Modes - Stereo; Dual Channel Single band; or Single Channel
Dual Band (Low and High)
Low and High frequency compression in Single Channel mode
'Enhance' switch restores spectral balance of compressed signal
New Hard/Soft knee compression switch
New Adaptive Stereo Link circuit for accurate stereo imaging
New Above/Below Threshold LEDs enable at-a-glance compression
confirmation
Balanced XLR and Jack Inputs and Outputs
Sidechain Insert points
Intuitive user-friendly layout
Flawless performance
New Above/Below Threshold LEDs enable at-a-glance compression confirmation
New Hard or Soft knee compression option
New LED metering provides accurate Level status, with separate Gain Reduction
metering in easy to read 'wide scale' meters. There is also comprehensive LED
indication of all operating functions and status in any mode.
Balanced Inputs and Outputs
On the rear panel, each channel has true differential Balanced inputs and outputs,
on both XLR and TRS jack connectors. As well, each channel has a TRS jack
Sidechain access insert point, for applications such as De-essing (when used with
an external equalizer such as the ARX Multi Q or EQ 260).Other features include a
true Hardwire bypass switch for each channel, and passive RFI filters on the inputs.
Universal AC Power
AC power range is a universal 100 to 120V or 220 to 240V AC, and is connected to
the unit via a removable power lead and standard 3 pin IEC connector, with built-in
fuse and voltage change switch.
With its smooth compression, intuitive user friendly layout, high density precision
circuitry, and extensive user-variable operating parameters, the unique ARX Afterburner
is equally at home in Studio, Installation, Broadcast and Sound Reinforcement
environments. It can provide great sounding dynamics control effects that are not
available with any other device.
T E C H N I C A L S P E C I F I C A T I O N S
Input Impedance Balanced 20 Kohms, Unbalanced 10 Kohms
Input Headroom + 22 dB
CMRR >60 dB, 20 Hz-20 KHz
Output Impedance Balanced 300 ohms, Unbalanced 150 ohms
Output Level (Max) + 22 dB
Frequency Response 20Hz to 20KHz ±0.2dB
Signal to Noise ratio -93 dB Unweighted, -99 dB 'A' weighted
Distortion .02% THD @ 0dB,1KHz
Dynamic Range 115 dB
Sidechain Insert Impedance 10 Kohm
Filter Section
Filter Type Phase corrected 6dB/octave
Summed Filter Response ±0.2dB through crossover region
Dividing Frequency 250 Hz
Enhance Section
Low Enhance 50 Hz, High Enhance 10 KHz
Power Requirements 100/120 V AC, 220/240 V AC
Weight 5 lbs/2.2 Kg
Dimensions 19“W x 1?“H x 6“D, 482 x 44 x 155mm
Input/OutputConnector type XLR, Balanced Jack
Sidechain Insert Connector TRS Jack
Front Panel Controls
Hardwire bypass IN/OUT switch
Threshold, Ratio and Output Gain controls
Above/Below Threshold LEDs
12 segment LED Output Level display
Numbered marker panel for labelling compressor assigns
7 segment LED Gain Reduction display
Enhance switch and status LED
Adaptive Stereo link switch and status LED
Dual/Single channel mode switch and status LEDs
Rear Panel Connectors
Balanced Inputs and Outputs, on both XLR and TRS jack
connectors. In Single channel (Mono) mode, use Channel
1 Inputs and Outputs only
Sidechain Insert TRS connector on each channel
AC input connector, with voltage switch and fuse.
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The S com 4 is a compact and versatile single-rack space device that provides
four channels of high quality dynamics processing with an Expander/Gate and
Compressor/Limiter on each channel.
The four channels operate independently or in stereo pairs. Its multi-segment LED
metering displays input/output level as well as gain reduction. The Expander/Gate
section features a continuously variable Threshold control as well as a switch for
fast or slow release times.
The Compressor/Limiter section includes variable Threshold, Ratio and Output levels.
S com 4's Enhancer switch restores high frequencies that are sometimes diminished
by heavy compression. This wide-ranging combination of features makes the S com
4 an efficient and versatile audio tool for a wide variety of applications. Its clean and
quiet audio characteristics make it ideal where high sonic integrity is imperative.
FEATURES:
4 Channel Compressor/Limiter, Expander/Gate with Enhancer
Linkable in two Stereo pairs
Expander/Gate with variable Trigger control and switchable Fast/Slow Release
5 Segment LED meters for Input/Output levels and Gain Reduction on each channel
Advanced circuit design utilizing Low Noise Operational
Amplifiers and High Quality VCA's
Servo Balanced Inputs and Outputs on XLR and 1/4" connectors
SKD (Smart Knee Detector) circuit automatically switches from soft to hard knee
based on the level of Input signal applied
Individual Threshold and Ratio controls on each channel
Three-year extended warranty
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In today's recording and sound reinforcement environments, the need for multiple channels of high quality, easy to use compression is growing rapidly. The new dbx® 1046 is designed to provide the audio professional with just that: 4 channels of great sounding dbx compression for a variety of applications. Incorporating the industry standard dbx designs and the latest available manufacturing techniques, the dbx 1046 provides pristine sonic quality with that classic dbx sound.
The 1046 provides 4 channels of smooth classic dbx OverEasy® or Hard Knee compression that are perfectly suited for use on individual tracks of your multitrack recorder, and in virtually all applications the separate channels can be individually interfaced and used for entirely independent purposes. Additionally the newly developed PeakStopPlus™ is ideal for protecting your system from the oppressive peaks that can take out valuable drivers in your sound reinforcement rig or studio monitors.
All four channels have the following controls:
Threshold - allows you to set the level at which the compressor starts affecting the gain
OverEasy - allows you to select between soft compression for overall gain control or Hard Knee compression based on the characteristics of the original dbx 160.
Ratio - allows you to set the slope of gain reduction affecting the signal over the threshold level.
Input/Output Meter - allows you to set the meter to check the input and output levels for maximum signal-to-noise ratio and best level matching.
Output Gain - allows you to add make-up gain or to adjust the output level for that channel to match the next device's input gain.
Bypass - hard wire bypass allows you to hear how the compressor is affecting your signal.
PeakStopPlus - allows you to set the maximum signal level you want to pass through this channel. While it's virtually impossible to eliminate distortion, the PeakStopPlus circuit does it gracefully and effectively with minimal distortion.
Stereo Link - allows you to link channels 1&2 and 3&4 for two channels of true stereo compression.
All four channels feature balanced gold plated XLR and 1/4" inputs and outputs, and switchable +4dBu or -10dBV operating level to interface each individual channel with any other device.
So whether you need to control the level, placement in the mix, or overall characteristics of 4 independent signals or control the gain leveling on a couple of stereo pairs, the dbx 1046 is for you.
- Four independent channels of operation, stereo linkable in two pairs
- PeakStopPlus™ limiting control for setting maximum allowable level regardless of compressor settings
- Independent Threshold and ratio controls
- Switchable OverEasy® or Hard Knee compression
- Classic dbx® compression
- Differentially balanced gold-plated XLR and 1/4" inputs and outputs
- True RMS level detection
- Precision metering of input level, output level, and gain reduction
- Dual True stereo or quad mono operation
- Switchable +4dBu or -10dBV operation per channel
| Input Connectors | XLR and 1/4" TRS (Pin 2 and tip hot) | | Input Type | Electronically balanced/unbalanced, RF filtered | | Input Impedance | Balanced > 40 kOhm, unbalanced >20 kOhm | | Max Input | > +22 dBu balanced or unbalanced | | CMRR | Typically >50 dB at 1 kHz | | Output Connectors | XLR and 1/4" TRS (Pin 2 and tip hot) | | Output Type | Servo-balanced/unbalanced, RF filtered | | Output Impedance | Balanced 30 Ohm, unbalanced 15 Ohm | | Max Output | > +22 dBm balanced, > +20 dBm unbalanced | | Bandwidth | 20 Hz to 20 kHz, +0/-0.5 dB | | Frequency Response | 0.35 Hz to 90kHz, +0/-3 dB | | Noise | | | Dynamic Range | > 118 dB, unweighted | | THD+Noise | >0.008% typical at +4 dBu (1 kHz unity gain), 0.08% typical at +20 dBu (1 kHz unity gain), | | IMD | | | Interchannel Crosstalk | | | Stereo Coupling | True RMS Power Summing | | Compressor Threshold Range | -40 dBu to +20 dBu | | Compressor Ratio | 1:1 to infinity:1 | | Compressor Threshold Characteristic | Selectable OverEasy® or hard knee | | Compressor Attack/Release Characteristic | AutoDynamic™ | | Compressor Attack Time | Program-dependent | | Compressor Release Time | Program-dependent | | Compressor Output Gain | -20 to +20 dB | | Limiter Threshold Range | 0 dBu to +24 dBu (off) | | Limiter Ratio | infinity:1 | | Limiter Type | PeakStopPlus® two-stage limiter | | Limiter Stage 1 | PeakStop® brickwall limiter | | Limiter Stage 1 Attack Time | Zero | | Limiter Stage 1 Release Time | Zero | | Limiter Stage 2 | Predictive intelligent program limiter | | Limiter Stage 2 Attack Time | Program-dependent | | Limiter Stage 2 Release Time | Program-dependent | | OverEasy® Switch | Activates the OverEasy compression function | | I/O Meter Switch | Switches between monitoring input and output levels on the Input/Output Level meter | | Bypass Switch | Activates the direct input-to-output hard-wire bypass | | Operating Level Switch | (rear panel) Switches the nominal operating level between -10 dBV and +4 dBu simultaneously for both input and output levels | | ST Link Switch | Links channels in stereo pairs. Channels One and Three become the master channels | | Gain Reduction Meter | 8 segment LED bar graph at 1, 3, 6, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 dB | | I/O Meter | 8-segment LED bar graph at -24, -18, -12, -6, 0, +6, +12, and +18 dBu | | PeakStop™ Indicator | 1 LED to indicate PeakStop™ limiting | | Function Switches | LED indicator for each front-panel switch | | Output Transformer Options | Jensen® JT-123-dbx or JT- 11-dbx, BCI RE- 123-dbx or RE-11-dbx | | Operating Voltage | Switchable:100-120 VAC 50-60 Hz or 200-240 VAC 50/60 Hz | | Power Consumption | 20 Watts | | Fuse | 100-120 VAC:250 mA Slow Blow, 200-240 VAC:125 mA Type T | | Power Connector | IEC receptacle | | Dimensions | 1.75“Hx19“Wx9“D (4.4cmx48.3cmx20.1cm) | | Unit Weight | 5.2 lbs. (2.4 kg) | | Shipping Weight | 7.6 lbs. (3.5 kg) |
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OPTIMOD-FM 5500 puts coveted five-band and two-band OPTIMOD processing into a single rack unit package and brings it to you at the most affordable price ever.
Quality sound is what 5500 is all about-sound that attracts audiences by providing a polished, professional presentation regardless of format and source material. Exceptional versatility allows you to adjust the processor's audio texture to brand your audio, knowing that the resulting signature sound will remain consistent, cut-to-cut and source-to-source. Branding builds businesses and no other processors have the consistency to brand your sound like OPTIMOD.
With the 5500, your signature sound is just a preset away. An easy, one-knob Less/More adjustment allows you to customize any factory preset, trading cleanliness against processing artifacts according to the requirements of your market and competitive environment. Full Control gives you the versatility to customize your audio further. And, if you're a hard-core processing expert, you can explore Advanced Control to tweak presets at the same level as Orban's factory programmers. This versatility makes the 5500 a superb choice for any format. Its five-band processing is ideal for any pop music format (even the most competitive and aggressive CHR), while phase-linear two-band processing yields ultratransparent sound for classical, classic jazz, and fine arts formats. Regardless of your choice, 5500's optimized technology ensures unusually high average modulation and coverage for a given level of subjective quality. Unlike many lesser processors, the 5500 handles speech particularly well. It's always clean, even when you process for loudness.
If you're concerned about latency because you need to feed live talent headphones off air, be assured that the 5500's ultra-low-latency (5 ms delay) processing will keep the most finicky talent happy. Or use optimum latency (15 ms delay) processing for the most competitive sound with delay that's still low enough to satisfy most any talent.
Versatility doesn't stop with sound.
The 5500 can also be used as a superb stand-alone stereo encoder with latency as low as 2 ms and full overshoot limiting in both the left/right and composite baseband domains.
When used in this mode, the 5500 must be driven (usually via an STL) by a full-featured FM audio processor (like Orban's 8600) that incorporates pre-emphasis aware HF limiting and peak control. In both modes, the 5500's stereo encoder helps deliver a transmitted signal that's always immaculately clean and perfectly peak limited, with full spectral protection of subcarriers and RDS/RBDS regardless of the amount of composite limiting.
It is the ideal choice for network broadcasters who process with Orban's flagship OPTIMOD-FM 8600 at the network origination point and who need a processor at every transmitter to eliminate STL overshoots (using the 5500's stand-alone stereo encoder mode) and/or to process local insertions while also eliminating network STL overshoots (using the 5500's audio processor / stereo encoder mode). Moreover, the 5500's two modes make it easy for large government and network broadcasters to manage its inventory of spares because any 5500 can be used as a stereo encoder with or without audio processing.
Available in both modes, the built-in, defeat-able ITU-BS412 multiplex power controller allows the 5500's output to meet even the most stringent European government regulations.
A 10 MHz frequency reference input allows the stereo pilot tone frequency to be locked to GPS or another high-accuracy frequency standard. This improves the performance of single-frequency networks in areas where coverage of the transmitters overlaps.
The 5500's built-in stereo encoder, AES/EBU digital inputs and outputs, and analog I/O permit hasslefree interfacing to any broadcast plant, whether the 5500 is located at the studio or the transmitter. Tight band limiting to 15 kHz means you can use any uncompressed digital STL to pass 5500- processed audio from studio to transmitter without compromising on-air loudness - there's no need to use STL's having 44.1 or 48 kHz sample-rate.
The stereo encoder's stereo sub-channel modulator can operate in normal double sideband mode and in an experimental compatible single sideband mode (SSB/VSB) that is offered to enable users to compare and assess the two modes.
Analog Fallback to Digital control that allows Silence Sense to switch the active input from Analog to Digital if silence is detected in the analog input signal but not on the digital input signal. This function works vice versa as well on both analog and digital AES input. The silence sense parameters apply to both simultaneously and both detectors are available to drive the 5500's tally outputs and sending SNMP Traps/Alerts.
If you want to locate the 5500 away from the studio, you'll be pleased by its three separate remote control ports - GPI contact closures, RS232 serial and built-in Ethernet for TCP/IP networks. The serial and Ethernet ports are supported by the supplied 5500 PC Remote Control application. This Windows® 2000/XP/Vista/7/8 application allows you to do even more with the 5500 than you can do through its front panel, making remote control a pleasure.
5500 PC Remote software allows you to access all 5500 features and allows you to archive and restore presets, automation lists, and system setups (containing I/O levels, digital word lengths, GPI functional assignments, etc.)
Built-in clock-based automation lets you automatically day-part the processing. You can control many other 5500 operating parameters too.
The 5500's feature set fully exploits the processor's DSP and computer-based control architecture. To ensure absolute accuracy, you can automatically synchronize the clock to an Internet timeserver. It has a cool-running, energy-efficient switching power supply and uses the latest dual-core DSP chip technology from Freescale Semiconductor.
| Compressos Expander Gate Kimiter DBX 166XS Stereo
Overview Bring a more professional sound to your mix
Adding a dbx® 166xs Compressor/Limiter/Gate to your live sound rig or studio gives you more dynamic control to help create a more polished, professional sound. Having compression in your audio chain gives you the ability to smooth out uneven levels, add sustain to guitars and fatten up your drums. It also makes it easy to bring vocals to the front of your mix - adding greater clarity and making them stand out from the surrounding instruments. To protect your expensive amps and speakers the PeakStop® limiter provides an absolute ceiling for peak excursions or large transients that could damage your equipment.
dbx knows compressors...after all we invented them! The 166xs is the latest in a long line of the world's most successful compressors from the inventors of the technology. Its patented Overeasy® compression technology provides smooth and musical performance while the AutoDynamic™ attack and release controls, found only on dbx compressors, puts great sound within easy reach. The 166xs can operate in stereo or dual-mono modes, has true RMS power summing and features quality XLR and 1/4" TRS inputs and outputs. It cuts no corners on visual feedback with gain reduction metering and easy-to-read backlit switches.
Specifications
| Input Connectors |
1/4" TRS, female XLR (pin 2 hot) |
| Input Impedance |
>50kΩ balanced, >25kΩ unbalanced |
| Max Input |
>+24dBu, Balanced or Unbalanced |
| Input Type |
Electronically balanced/unbalanced, RF filtered |
| Sidechain |
1/4" TRS Phone, Normalled: Ring = Output (send); tip = Input (return) |
| Sidechain Impedance |
Tip = >10kΩ (Input), Ring = 2kΩ (Output) |
| Sidechain Max Input Level |
>+20dBu (tip/input); >+20dBu (ring/output) |
| Output Connectors |
1/4" TRS, female XLR (pin 2 hot) |
| Output Impedance |
120Ω balanced, >60Ω unbalanced |
| Max Output |
+21dBu balanced/unbalanced into 2kΩ or greater; >+18 dBm balanced/unbalanced (into 600Ω) |
| Frequency Response |
20Hz - 20kHz; +0, -0.5dB, Typical 3dB points are 0.35Hz and 110kHz, unity gain |
| Noise |
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